Keep in mind that American Honda was instrumental in getting Nicky his Repsol Honda ride, and that once he was there, HRC basically "used" Nicky all the time he was riding for them. Should Nicky return to Honda to ride the production racer with Aspar; it will be interesting to see if Nicky becomes the "favoured" rider on the Honda they haven't sold to anyone yet, or if Nicky is once again "used" by Honda for their own corporate gains.

I'm not suggesting the Honda production racer isn't a good option for Nicky at this point in his career. Only that if Gigi were to turn things around at Ducati, and put Nicky on an equally competitive ride to the production Honda, Nicky would be able to enjoy both his race results, and the support of his employers.

Looks like Nicky has some very tough decisions to make regarding his racing future.

Keep in mind that American Honda was instrumental in getting Nicky his Repsol Honda ride, and that once he was there, HRC basically "used" Nicky all the time he was riding for them. Should Nicky return to Honda to ride the production racer with Aspar; it will be interesting to see if Nicky becomes the "favoured" rider on the Honda they haven't sold to anyone yet, or if Nicky is once again "used" by Honda for their own corporate gains.

I'm not suggesting the Honda production racer isn't a good option for Nicky at this point in his career. Only that if Gigi were to turn things around at Ducati, and put Nicky on an equally competitive ride to the production Honda, Nicky would be able to enjoy both his race results, and the support of his employers.

Looks like Nicky has some very tough decisions to make regarding his racing future.

I think Nicky will be at Aspar. The question is will it be on an Ape, a Honda, or a Ducati?

This also explains the rumors about Eugene Laverty being on a Ducati next season. They made a play for Jonathon Rea, too, apparently.

I think it bodes well that Dall'Igna is so keen to have Nicky be part of either the Aprilia or Ducati project.

I do think that HRC is interested in Hayden for their project, too.

I would bet Nicky has been talking to Casey for the real dope on the Honda PR bike.

If Dall'igna is smart..he will take a close look at what Ducati has done the last couple years.

1. They had one of the greatest riders ever in Stoner, and even he only won the championship one year, 2007. He went to Honda in 2011, and won it again, straight away.( points to bike issues to me, not rider issues)
2. They had the potential GOAT in Rossi, and an Italian, and he could not get out of his contract fast enough after two crap seasons.
3. They had a great teammate to their "star" riders in Nicky Hayden, who also won the championship on a Honda in 2006, and if counting FP's and qualifying sessions( yes, us Hayden fans do that)...consistently overall, did better than Rossi those two years. (( I would not doubt if Nicky was told to let Rossi do better in the races...you know, for the team. )) And they have decided to toss him aside after all his loyalty and being a great :company man".
4. They have been bought by Audi, which seemingly has made little to no difference overall. They still have a TT that is not competitive with the other GP bikes.

Put all that together, and it would give me serious pause to go anywhere near Ducati.

I bet Nicky is kicking back laughing at all this , any way it goes he wins.

I think Hayden's best chance of wining anything just went south. Battling it out with Edwards on a proddy Honda is likely not what he was hoping to do next year.
Audi may have resigned themselves to creating Ducati again as whole cloth, but that means another year (or two) in the wilderness for their riders. Morton's Fork.

Keep in mind that American Honda was instrumental in getting Nicky his Repsol Honda ride, and that once he was there, HRC basically "used" Nicky all the time he was riding for them. Should Nicky return to Honda to ride the production racer with Aspar; it will be interesting to see if Nicky becomes the "favoured" rider on the Honda they haven't sold to anyone yet, or if Nicky is once again "used" by Honda for their own corporate gains.

I'm not suggesting the Honda production racer isn't a good option for Nicky at this point in his career. Only that if Gigi were to turn things around at Ducati, and put Nicky on an equally competitive ride to the production Honda, Nicky would be able to enjoy both his race results, and the support of his employers.

Looks like Nicky has some very tough decisions to make regarding his racing future.